LC S23 



University of the State of New York 

THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE CHURCHES 
An Address 



DELIVERED AT THE 



31st University Convocation 



SENATE CHAMBER, ALBANY, N. Y. 



July 5, 1893 



BY PROFESSOR RICHARD T. ELY, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN 



ALBANY 

UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK 

1893 



! 



R18.Jni-D93-3i50 



University of the State of New York 



^ 



THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE CHURCHES s W 

PROF. RICHARD T. ELY, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN 

The relations of state and church have occupied the attention 
of profound thinkers for centuries, and it can not be said that an 
entirely satisfactory adjustment has yet been found. It is indeed 
natural enough that difficulties should arise between state and 
church precisely because these are the two grandest and the most 
beneficent institutions known to man. Both are indispensable to 
human welfare, and yet each one covers so nearly the whole of 
life that it must touch the other at a thousand points. The 
church has to do with morals ; so has the state ; the church has 
to do with the family ; so has the state ; the church has to do 
with education ; so has the state. There are a few far reaching 
illustrations, but they are sufficient to show that the relations of 
church and state can not be fully settled by any brief formula. 
" Separation of church and state," is a phrase easily uttered, but 
it has never been applied in such a manner as to give entire 
satisfaction. The principle of separation is the principle which 
is called distinctively the American principle. It has been 
applied variously in different parts of the American union, and 
while undoubtedly the principle itself receives the assent of the 
vast majority of Americans, dissatisfaction arises at many points. 
It will probably be admitted that the educational field is the one 
in which there has been the most pronounced controversy con- 
cerning questions which touch both the state and the church in 
their relations, and it may not be too much to say that this con- 
troversy has in recent years tended to grow in vehemence as well 
as in its extent. The claims of the church are in the main well 
grounded and equally so are the claims of the state. Both have 
vital interests at stake, and the welfare of humanity demands the 
cooperation of both. Can not the claims of both be satisfied 
without a departure from the best American traditions? It 
seems to me that this is possible, and I wish to offer for discussion 



1893] THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE CHURCHES 351 

a plan applicable particularly to the higher educational institu- 
tions ; viz, the colleges and universities. 

It is proposed that various religious denominations should group 
their educational efforts, so far as these touch the higher educa- 
tion, around the state universities of the country and such non- 
sectarian institutions as Cornell university in this state. These 
efforts should include the formation of Christian associations of 
young men and women and other like societies ; the establishment 
of gild houses, with reading rooms and libraries, the foundation 
of dormitories to furnish homes for the students of the universi- 
ties. With these dormitories should be connected educational 
features. This is my plan in brief, and I shall endeavor to show 
that it will be beneficial alike to church and state. 

The plan itself is so simple that its very simplicity is likely to 
conceal its far reaching import unless careful consideration is 
given to it. Dormitories are an old historical institution which 
give an immense hold on the affections of students. Any religious 
denomination or group of denominations desiring to do so mav 
now erect dormitories adjacent to the grounds of any state uni- 
versity. Students of any and all denominations may be invited 
to find in these dormitories homes. These religious homes would 
be under the control of trustees appointed by their founders or 
their supporters, and they could frame any rules for their govern- 
ment which they might see fit. Those entering these homes 
would do so with a full knowledge of the rules, whether they 
included attendance upon morning prayers and participation in 
other religioi.s exercises or not. 

A fully equipped home, as I take it, should have at its head a 
man of learning and piety, a strong man calculated to influence 
the young ; and this man, called principal possibly or otherwise 
suitably designated, should receive a salary at least equal to that 
of any professor in a college or university to which the home should 
become an adjunct. To this principal, with possibly assistants, 
should be committed by the trustees of the home, instruction in 
church history, evidences of Christianity, and any other subjects 
which might be regarded as of practical importance to the 
denomination under whose auspices it existed. If this denomina- 
tion were not already amply provided with theologicaFseminaries, 
or if any existing theological seminary could be removed to the 



352 UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK [July 5 

seat of the state university — or any other university in question, — 
it would be eminently desirable to develop a theological 
seminary in connection with the home. The home itself could 
bear the name of some religious light or of its founder. It could 
also be built as a memorial. 

It will be asked whether the dormitories or homes are needed 
and if established, whether they will meet a real demand. I can 
give a positive answer in the affirmative so far as the University of 
Wisconsin is concerned, and I think an affirmative answer safe so 
far as every state university in the country is concerned ; and there 
are state universities in every state in the union except a few on or 
near the Atlantic seaboard. Of course these dormitories would be 
made attractive homes and their accommodations offered at 
reasonable prices. Properly equipped and well governed they 
would meet the warm approval of students as well as the hearty 
endorsement of faculties and other authorities of the universities. 

It is maintained that this plan of cooperation of the churches 
with the public life as manifested in educational institutions 
would lead to a larger, fuller, deeper religious life, softening 
sectarian asperities and quickening all desirable activities. 

Great thinkers like Adam Smith, who have advocated religious 
freedom, have dreaded the results of sectarianism, and Adam 
Smith proposed that "some sort of probation even in the higher 
and more difficult sciences" should "be undergone by every 
person before he should be permitted to exercise any liberal 
profession or before he could be received as a candidate for any 
honorable office of trust or profit." The plan which is here pro- 
posed is far better than that suggested by Adam Smith, if one 
must make a choice between them, although the two are not 
incompatible. Thomas Jefferson, the American thinker, elabor- 
ated a somewhat similar plan in connection with the University 
of Yirginia. In a letter dated November 2, 1822, he uses these 
words : " In our annual report to the legislature, after stating 
the constitutional reasons against the public establishment of any 
religious instruction, we suggest the expediency of encouraging 
the different religious sects to establish each for itself a professor- 
ship of their own tenets, on the confines of the university, so 
near that their students may attend the lectures there, and have 
the free use of our libraries and every other accommodation we can 



1893] THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE CHURCHES 353 

give them ; preserving, however, their independence of us and 
of each other. This fills the chasm objected to ours, as a defect 
in an institution professing to give instruction in all useful 
sciences. I think the invitation will be accepted by some sects 
from candid intentions, and by others from jealousy and rival- 
ship. And by bringing the sects together and mixing them with 
the mass of other students, we can soften their asperities, liberalize 
and neutralize their prejudices, and make the general religion a 
religion of peace, reason and morality." 

The plan which I have offered is simply an elaboration of that 
offered by Thomas Jefferson. To him, whatever one may other- 
wise think of him, will not be denied many fruitful ideas. 

Let us examine this plan somewhat more carefully from the 
standpoint of the church. It is admitted that the desire of the 
religious denominations to exercise an influence upon the edu- 
cation of youth is praiseworthy. What is claimed is that they 
can do their work far better in connection with public educational 
institutions, especially in the case of colleges and universities. 
It is not proposed at the present time to discuss the question of 
the common schools, but it is simply asserted that least of all is 
there need of separate denominational institutions for the higher 
education. 

The denominational institutions in the country are, with notable 
exceptions — and I wish by repetition to emphasize the fact that 
there are notable exceptions — poor institutions, doing perhaps 
directly as much harm as good by diverting youth from superior 
institutions by appeals to sectarian loyalty, and indirectly doing 
vastly more harm than good by impeding the development of 
superior institutions and by cultivating a small spirit. Probably 
few in the east realize how narrow an outlook on life is given by 
many a sectarian college in our west. The minor denominational 
college must give inferior instruction because its means are so 
limited. When one of my colleagues visited a sectarian institu- 
tion in an adjoining state, the college took a holiday, evidently 
not wishing him to see the kind of work which was going for- 
ward. In another neighboring state a college president is scouring 
the country seeking to find an endowment of $50,000, something 
like one sixth of the sum which the University of Wisconsin will 
spend during the coming year. According to recently compiled 



354 UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK [July 5 

statistics of the 300 or 400 so-called colleges in the country, only 
75 have an annual income from endowment equal to $10,000 and 
only 90 can show an income from all sources of $20, ,l 00. No 
matter how much self-sacrificing effort may go into the work of 
these institutions, — and it is frankly admitted that they represent 
an immense amount of very noble self-sacrifice, — it is simply 
impossible that they can do respectable work with such an 
equipment. 

These denominational institutions of the poorer class which in 
the minds of competent persons are a disgrace to the denomina- 
tions supporting them, bring no credit to the church. They 
repel rather than attract the strong characters among the youth. 
At the same time they are too much inclined to conduct an 
ignoble war upon public educational institutions, calculated to 
estrange from the church many who ought to be her strong 
adherents. It is true, it seems to me, that in the west, the worst 
enemy of the state universities has been sectarianism and not 
politics, and even when politics has appeared to be the enemy it 
has often merely been the tool of sectarianism. The spectacle which 
has been afforded to ingenuous youth when they have beheld the 
war of sectarianism upon public activity has not been an edifying 
one. Let us suppose now that a religious denomination turns 
frankly about, as many enlightened and earnest religious people 
would have the religious denominations do, and seeks heartily to 
support state universities and institutions like Cornell and to 
cooperate with them. At once such a religious denomination comes 
before the country in such a manner as to commend it to all true 
patriots. It says, in effect, We who belong to this denomination 
will seek not to pull down but to build up the state and what the 
state can not do on account of its limitations, that we will furnish. 
The frank adoption of this policy by any religious denomination 
would add immensely to its prestige and be in keeping with its 
character as a true American church. At the same time, funds 
entirely inadequate for the support of rival sectarian colleges 
would be quite ample for the support of halls or dormi- 
tories such as I have advocated. In Madison, for example, 
I should say that a quarter of a million dollars would be a sum 
which would enable a religious denomination to do a very 
excellent work, although a larger endowment, of course, could 



1893] THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE OHUEOHIS 355 

be used. About $150,000 of this sum, it would seem to me, should 
be expended upon grounds and buildings, and $100,000 kept for 
endowment. The building itself would yield an income and this, 
together with the income of the endowment, would support the 
principal and needed assistants and also maintain lecture courses. 
The position of the religious denomination thus cooperating with 
the state university would be most worthy and dignified. Let 
me remind you that the colleges at Oxford were originally 
simply dormitories or homes and were called halls. 

The state universities have come to stay. With the exception 
of a few institutions in the east and perhaps Chicago and 
Stanford universities, they are to-day the leading universities in 
the United States and they are rapidly gaining upon all others. 
The University of Wisconsin has over 1200 students and is 
growing at the present time at the rate of about 200 a year. 
The University of Minnesota has some 1500 students and has 
increased more rapidly in numbers in recent years than any other 
university in the United States. The University of Michigan has 
nearly 3000 students. Other state universities have also a large 
number, and are rapidly gaining ground, and this increase in 
numbers has been attended with an equally remarkable improve- 
ment in quality of work. Here are thousands of young men 
gathered together. They are the flower of the land. What will the 
churches do for these young men ? Will they leave them alone ? 
Will a church which has 500 students in a state university do 
nothing for these 500 and devote all its energies and money to 
100 in some sectarian college ? Surely that is not rational even 
from a denominational standpoint. The thousands of young men 
in the state universities are ready and willing to be influenced. 
They are a rich field which a wise denomination can not per- 
manently refuse to cultivate. The politicians in at least one 
western state have shown greater wisdom than religious leaders, 
thus illustrating in one way the saying that " The children of 
this world are in their generation wiser than the children of 
light." While religious denominations are holding aloof from 
the students in this institution, I have known a political leader 
carefully to cultivate relations with the students in order to have 
influence with them later after they have separated and gone out 
into different parts of the state and the country. 



356 UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK [July 5 

But I would not have you think that even now there is any- 
ground for the charge that state institutions are godless or 
unfriendly to religion. Such is by no means the case. The 
professors and regents or trustees of such institutions are mostly 
earnest church members and in their various denominations take 
part in the religious life of their respective communities. They 
are superintendents of Sunday schools, teachers of Bible classes, 
and without interfering with religious freedom they exercise a very 
great influence upon students. There are also among students of 
these institutions voluntary religious associations of many 
different kinds, and from them go into the ministry and mission 
field earnest men and women. Having been connected with two 
denominational institutions as well as a state university, I would 
claim for the latter at least as high a religious character as for 
the former. But all this has for the most part happened without 
the cordial support and cooperation of the church as an organized 
institution. 

The funds which are already used by the different religious 
denominations of the country would be quite ample to carry out 
f ally and efficiently the plan elaborated, and if there were any 
surplus surely there is need for all the money which the church 
can raise. Are there not mission fields in every part of the world 
which are destitute ? Is not Macedonia ever crying out : Come 
over and help us % Are there not colleges in Asia Minor and 
China and elsewhere which need help % Are there not the slums 
of cities crying out for light and reproaching in their misery the 
church and causing some to doubt Christianity? Is there not 
enough and" more than enough work for the church to do which 
the state will not and indeed can not do ? 

I would before leaving the special consideration of the subject 
from the standpoint of the church put forward the claim that 
the plan which I have advocated will tend to the unity of 
Christendom which is now so earnestly longed for by Christian 
people. It might not remove all denominational lines, and to 
many this does not seem desirable, but bringing into hearty 
cooperation with public institutions the various religious denomina- 
tions, they would cultivate a unity in action and would in time 
discover whether an organic unity is desirable or not. 



1893] THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE CHURCHES 357 

I claim for this plan also the merit that it would elevate 
public life. The great evil at the present time in the United 
States is that the forces of good are too split up. There is in our 
country always a desire on the part of the majority for good 
government, but there is little unity among those who constitute 
this majority. This grouping of churches about the state would 
give us unity with variety, and the public life which is now too 
often debased would be ennobled. The great trouble with us 
is that the state does not receive our affections. Our treasure is 
elsewhere and where our treasure is there also is our heart. Our 
interests are too diverse. We are engaged in various business 
enterprises like railways, gas works, electric lighting works, etc., 
which have interests by no means identical with those of the pub- 
lic, and even in education we have erected a means of division in 
the denominational college. We win money in industries which 
must fight the state and then give money to sectarian institutions 
which continue to fight the state. What kind of a public life 
have we a right to expect under such circumstances ? The measure 
which I propose would tend to strengthen public institutions, to 
induce men and women to make generous gifts to them and thus 
to bring to the state that feeling, that warm affection, which the 
noblest patriots have ever cherished. 

Something has already been accomplished in the direction advo- 
cated, and the plan outlined has the cordial support of many 
careful and experienced thinkers on educational topics. The views 
of Thomas Jefferson have already been quoted. His plans with 
reference to the University of Yirginia have not as yet been fully 
carried out. Yet there is a certain grouping of the churches 
about the institution. Professor Noah K. Davis of the University 
of Yirginia writes me as follows: " Our practice here, which has 
been pursued for 40 or more years, is to appoint a chaplain for 
two years, in turn a methodist, a baptist, a presbyterian and an 
episcopalian, who is supported by voluntary contributions of 
professors and students. He devotes his whole time to the 
university, holding regular Sunday and Aveek-day services. His 
efforts are seconded by our college Young Men's Christian asso- 
ciation, the oldest in the world. The plan works well and we are 
not troubled with sectarianism/' 

Another state university, the University of Michigan, has been 
inclined to dispute the claim of the University of Yirginia to the 



358 UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YOKK [July 5 

oldest college Young Men's Christian association, and the 
University of Michigan has perhaps even to a larger extent 
secured the cooperation of the churches. Yarious denominations 
have established halls of one kind and another at Ann Arbor, 
the seat of the University of Michigan, although no one has gone 
so far as I have advocated in this paper. At Ann Arbor, the 
protestant episcopal church seems to have done more than any 
other religious denomination along this line, and the results 
appear to be most gratifying. While writing this address there 
lies before me a journal containing a paper prepared by Rev. H. 
Tatlock, the rector of the episcopal church at Ann Arbor. He 
claims that there are more members of his church at Ann Arbor 
than the combined number of students at Trinity, Hobart, 
Kenyon and the University of the South, which are the four 
largest protestant episcopal colleges in the United States. They 
have at Ann Arbor a hall called Harris hall, named after the late 
bishop of the diocese, and lectureships called the Baldwin and 
Slocum lectureships, named by their founders. A bequest of 
$10,000 was recently made, it appears, to the hall, and there is an 
appeal for an increased endowment. Mr Tatlock states that one 
religious denomination is to open a theological school at Ann 
Arbor during the coming fall and he urges his own church to 
establish there what Bishop Harris saw in a vision, namely, " a 
school of the prophets." I will quote a short paragraph from 
Mr Tatlock to show his views of the wisdom of what has been 
done from his standpoint as a clergyman : " It is the duty 
of the church in her corporate capacity to be a city set on a hill. 
It is the duty of the church to exercise foresight and energy, to 
seize and to hold every strategic point, to take possession of the 
hights, to set her light on high places. There are many proofs 
of wisdom in the administration of the church in this diocese. 
In the laying of the foundation and in the rearing of the super- 
structure of our city of G-od, there is abundant evidence of the 
presence of the spirit of wisdom and understanding. But in 
recent years, as it seems to me, nothing that the church in 
Michigan has done gives fuller proof of the presence of this spirit 
than the establishing of the church hall and gild in connection 
with our great university at Ann Arbor." 

A beginning along this line has also been made at Boulder, the 
seat of the University of Colorado. There has been established 



1893J THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE CHURCHES 359 

there, under private auspices, a divinity school, the design of 
which is to make use of the facilities supplied by the state univer- 
sity and to cooperate with it in every proper manner. This 
divinity school is mentioned in the circulars of the University of 
Colorado. 

One of the most remarkable educational institutions in the 
United States is one in the work of which I am about to 
participate. I refer to Chautauqua, where to-morrow I shall have 
the honor of beginning a course of instruction. Chautauqua fur- 
nishes a fine illustration of the principle for which I am contending. 
We find at Chautauqua variety in unity. The presbyterians, con- 
gregationalists and the methodists have already their headquarters 
there, and the episcopalians are about to erect a building for 
their headquarters. Other religious denominations have also 
established headquarters at Chautauqua. They cultivate there 
their denominational life, and they unite together frequently for 
common worship and participate in education and recreation. I 
believe no enlightened member of any denomination represented 
at Chautauqua will claim that his denomination has suffered. 
On the contrary I think he will say that this spectacle of the 
union of Christians is highly beneficial to all who participate in 
the life there. 

Canada also, as I understand, affords a fine illustration. 
Different religious schools seem to be grouped about the Uni- 
versity of Toronto. The protestant episcopalians have a divinity 
school at Toronto called Wycliffe college in affiliation with 
Toronto university, and a few years ago it was announced that 
the methodists intended to move their college from Cobourg to 
Toronto and establish a strong divinity school there. I quote 
the words of Dr Withrow in regard to this movement : " By 
this act the educational policy of the methodist church undergoes 
a great change, and we believe will receive a new impulse and a 
wider development on a higher plane. It no longer holds itself 
aloof as a denominational college, but enters into intimate associa- 
tion with the national university in the endeavor to develop one 
of the broadest and best equipped institutions of higher learning 
on the continent. Its students will meet and mingle with those 
of the other churches, and in the intimate association of college 
life will cultivate broader principles and more genial fellowship. 



360 UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK [J u ty ^ 

The friends of education anticipate for it an eminent success 
in unsealing founts of liberality hitherto unknown and in 
greatly promoting the interests of higher education by sur- 
rounding with an atmosphere of religious sympathy and coopera- 
tion the central university." 

The congregationalists of England have indorsed a policy like 
this by establishing a theological seminary, viz, Mansfield 
college at Oxford ; and I think eminent leaders of the Roman 
catholic church will admit that I have conceded everything which 
they claim with respect to education. 

The state universities, and I doubt not institutions like Cornell, — 
and I might also mention here in particular the University of 
Pennsylvania, — are more than ready to assist in every way in 
bringing about cordial cooperation between church and state 
in education. I quote from letters from President Northrop of the 
University of Minnesota and President Jesse of the University of 
Missouri. President Northrop writes as follows : " My view has 
always been that Christian people should help to make the 
universit} r what it ought to be and should utilize it to the fullest 
extent in educating their children. The university would thus 
be kept essentially Christian in its influence, the churches would 
not be burdened with the support of special church institutions 
except for theology, and even theological seminaries should be 
so placed locally that the students could receive much needed 
instruction in the university. The churches by building special 
church homes for the students of their faith could watch over the 
lambs of their flock and give them all the special or denomina- 
tional training they desire. I do not undertake to make com- 
parisons as to the value of the education got at the university and 
that gained in a denominational college. But I certainly know 
no reason why the former should not be at least as good as the 
latter. If it be so, and the churches can have their students 
trained in the university without cost, what possible reason is 
there for exhausting the resources of the churches in running a 
lot of unnecessary colleges ? " 

President Jesse writes: "It would be a good thing if the 
churches would sell out even at a sacrifice their colleges and use 
the proceeds for theological schools near the best universities. 
We would give the necessary ground on our campus. We teach 



1893] THE UNIVEKSITIES AND THE CHtTRCHES 361 

yearly Hebrew and of course Greek, history, English, etc. 
On demand we are constantly prepared: to give good instruction 
in Syriac, Aramaic and Phoenician. We had this year a small 
class in Persian. On demand we would gladly furnish the best 
instruction in New-testament Greek, ecclesiastical history, etc. 
In fact, we would be charmed to create a demand for these things 
in order that we might fill it. Half the money spent in maintain- 
ing a moderately good academic college would support a good 
theological school here." 

Many things which I would like to say I have been obliged to 
pass over. I have not dwelt upon the importance of state 
universities. I will say, however, that I thoroughly believe in 
taxation for the support of education of every sort in all its 
branches, and hold that the position of those who would divide 
educational institutions into classes, claiming that the state 
should support one kind and not the other, is entirely illogical as 
well as unhistorical, indeed, I may say un-American. 

Yet I heard some one here to-day say that state aid was 
un-American. Washington, the Adamses, Jefferson and Monroe 
favored a national university at Washington. Were they 
un-American? Was Thomas Jefferson un-American when he 
founded the University of Virginia ? Thomas Jefferson did not 
think so, but gloried in that university and wished it with the 
declaration of independence to be remembered with his name. 
What has been the practice of America ? We who live in the 
northwest can not admit that a few states east of Ohio and north 
of Virginia shall tell what is American. In the early history of 
this country even those states contributed taxation for the support 
of the university and with the exception of those few states, 
every state in the American Union is taxed to-day for the support 
of higher education. Are they not American? Is Michigan not 
American? Are Wisconsin, Nebraska and Missouri not 
American ? Is the title American to be restricted to the practice 
of New York and Massachusetts ? I can not admit it for a 
moment. 

I would like, if there were time, to say something about what 
constitutes paternalism. Is the state something apart from us, over 
us, doing things for us or do we ourselves act through the state ? 
Where do the resources of the state come from and who deter- 



362 UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK [July 5 

mine its activity ? If we ourselves act through the state I con- 
sider it a noble kind of self-help. This is paternalism, when the 
people have no trust in themselves ; when they fold their arms 
and say we are not good nor wise nor competent enough to estab- 
lish our own educational institutions and we hope some kind 
millionaire will do it for us. In the meantime we fold our arms 
and wait for somebody to help us. That is paternalism and a very 
bad kind of paternalism. The gifts of the rich are welcome ; we have 
never refused them in Wisconsin. They are not refused in 
Michigan or Minnesota. But let us not rely simply on rich men, 
but rather help ourselves and then if rich men will help us to 
help ourselves that is desirable. If I could choose I would rather 
the state of Wisconsin should give its $300,000 a year to the univer- 
sity than to have it come entirely from some rich man. I would 
not have any one take from the state that burden, or rather 
privilege, of supporting education in all its branches. If the 
University of Wisconsin had been supported by some multi- 
millionaire through all these years, Wisconsin would not be 
where it is to-day in civilization. But this support has been 
an education and a fine one to the people of Wisconsin as it 
has been to the people of Michigan and Minnesota. I glory in 
what my adopted state of Wisconsin is doing. I glory in the fact 
that her legislators and farmers and day laborers wish the uni- 
versity to enjoy an income of $300,000 a year largely from tax- 
ation. I glory in the fact that the highest salary paid by the 
state of Wisconsin is paid to the president of the university of 
Wisconsin, a higher salary than received by any judge or by the 
governor of the commonwealth. If some of you in New York 
could go to these northwestern states and see what we are doing- 
there, you would come back and wish perhaps that your Cornell 
university were not almost, but entirely a state university sup- 
ported like the University of Michigan by a tax of perhaps one- 
sixth of a mill on all property in the state. And do the people 
approve of it or is it something done against their will ? I would 
like to see a politician in the state of Wisconsin who would openly 
attack the state university by appealing to the wage receivers 
and farmers. Not long ago I went into a field and talked with 
two men who were digging out stumps. I asked them whether 
they objected to paying taxes for the support of the state uni- 



1893] THE UNIVEKSITIES AttD THE OHTJECHES 363 

versity. They said " No indeed, we are glad to pay the taxes," 
for they knew that, although they and perhaps their children 
would never go to state university, it was doing more than any- 
thing else in the state of "Wisconsin for the little red school 
house at the country cross roads. As has been said by another 
speaker to-day the good results from education come from above 
and not from below. You can say we will have flourishing 
primary schools and none other ; but if you do your primary 
schools will be very inferior. 

Through a mistaken policy, private and sectarian foundations 
have been brought into existence resulting in the educational 
chaos from which we are struggling to emerge. We must 
recognize the situation. We can not make tabula rasa and begin 
from the beginning, but must build on foundations already laid 
and I urge the hearty cooperation of the best private and 
denominational schools with public educational institutions for 
the attainment of common ends, namely, for the suppression of 
quackery and pretense and for the encouragement of sound learn- 
ing. I think that it is practicable to bring about such coopera- 
tion. By no means do I advocate an iconoclastic policy with 
respect to religious schools. Many of these institutions which, if 
we were making a beginning I would not regard as desirable, 
have accomplished much. They have associated with them long 
history and tender traditions and must be used in building up the 
educational system in this country. I have myself been associated 
a good part of my life with private foundations, and attended as 
a student two denominational colleges for which I have affection. 
I have recently tried in a small way to assist a college under 
denominational auspices and have in mind a strictly denomi- 
national college to which I would like to make a donation. I 
can even conceive myself in the service of a university under 
denominational auspices and serving it faithfully, diligently. I 
mention this to show that I recognize the facts with which we 
have to deal and to avoid misunderstanding. I would say to the 
churches, cooperate so far as practicable with the public institu- 
tions; foster your strongest denominational schools, bringing 
about consolidation where possible and allowing the weak and 
inefficient to die out. 



364: UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK [Juty 5 

We have heard much of the free church in the free state. I 
would add to the rallying cry, "The free state and the free 
church," the free university, the university with freedom in teach- 
ing, freedom in learning and freedom in worshipping. 

In the free state the free university allied to the free church 
will give us a glorious civilization. 



Appendix 

MEMORANDUM IN REGARD TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO AND THE 
SYSTEM OP EDUCATION IN THE PROVINCE OP ONTARIO 

BY KEV J. P. SHERATON, D. D., PRINCIPAL OF WYCLIFFE COLLEGE, 

TORONTO, ONTARIO 1 

1 The University of Toronto is the capstone of the educational 
system of Ontario, a free, undenominational, graded system. 
There are separate schools for Roman catholics, saddled on the 
province in the Confederation compact. Roman catholics can 
pay to these, instead of to the public schools ; but many prefer 
the public schools, their own being notoriously inferior. 

2 The University of Toronto originated in large grants of land 
made by the legislature of Upper Canada. But the house of 
representatives at that time had no power to carry out its inten- 
tion. There was no responsible government. The church of 
England was established. The disposal of the grant was in the 
hands of the council of state, one member of which was 
Dr Strachan, first bishop of Toronto. The new institution was 
called King's college, for which a royal charter was procured. 
It was exclusively church of England and every student and 
teacher was required to subscribe to the 39 articles. The pro- 
visions of the charter were rigidly sectarian. The church of 
Scotland, (presbyterian) in self-defense established the University 
of Queens at Kingston, and the methodists Victoria university 
at Cobourg. 

3 At length came the revolution in Canada by which the 
"family compact" was destroyed, the church of England 
disestablished and King's college "secularized" and brought 
into harmony with the intentions of the legislature who originally 

1 Sent with letter of June 28, 1893. 



1893] THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE CHURCHES 365 

gave it its endowments. All this was achieved under the 
leadership of loyal lay members of the church of England, 
notably the Hon. Robert Baldwin. The University of 
Toronto passed through many vicissitudes till it reached 
its present form. Attempts have been made at different 
times to draw in the denominational universities. A few years 
ago a system of federation was inaugurated and under it Victoria 
university has been removed to Toronto and become federated to 
the provincial university. 

4 When King's college was " secularized " and the provincial 
university established on the present undenominational basis, 
Bishop Strachan, instead of accepting the situation and planting 
his theological college beside the provincial university, procured 
from England money and a royal charter and established the 
University of Trinity college on a strictly denominational basis and 
in armed rivalry to the provincial institution. After some 40 
years, Trinity college has between 50 and 60 students in arts and 
theology, while the University of Toronto has over 800 students 
in arts alone, of whom 150 or more, are episcopalians. 

5 The University of Toronto has federated with it Knox 
college, (presbyterian) Wycliffe college, (Church of England) 
St Michael's college, (Roman catholic) and Victoria college, 
(methodist). Take Wycliffe college as an illustration, — we have : 
(1) Representation on the university senate and a voice in all 
matters relating to the curriculum and government of the uni- 
versity ; (2) Certain options in the arts curriculum, (see the Calendar), 
e. g. Biblical Greek for classical Greek in third and fourth years 
in pass course. This needs to be judiciously restrained. A few 
options are helpful; any abuse would be detrimental; (3) The 
advantage of all the university can give us in the department of 
arts, not only for regular, but also for occasional students who 
may take only a portion of the arts curriculum. All our means 
are devoted to theological education. The fees are very small in 
the university ; $20 a year covers all ordinary lectures. (4) We 
exercise a strong influence in the university and over students of 

our own church. This can be greatly increased ; e. g. I have 
a Bible class for university students. We admit university 
students into our residence. (5) A strong, broadening and 
healthy influence is exerted on our students. They gain in large- 



366 UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK [July 5 

ness of view and breadth of sympathy by free associations with 
others. 

Experience strongly confirms me in the view that our policy is 
best from every point of view ; best in the interests of the student 
and his education, best in the denominational interest from any 
right standpoint, best in the general cause of education and its 
advancement. 

I stand against the narrow religionist on the one hand, who 
dreads scientific research and curtails freedom, and, on the other 
hand, against the narrow scientists, who confound healthy 
Christian influence with clericalism. 

We are straitened by want of means ; but if I had a million of 
dollars, I would oppose a denominational university. I could use 
the whole of it wisely in equipping a large theological college, in 
establishing lectureships in ethics, connection of science and 
religion,. Bible instruction for undergraduates in arts ; establishing 
tutorships for backward men ; establishing bursaries and scholar- 
ships, especially to encourage theological students to take a full 
arts course, in building residences for church of England arts 
students, and in providing means for wholesome social intercourse 
etc. Oh, the possibilities are unlimited. 

FROM JAMES H. CANFIELD, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF 

NEBRASKA 1 

I have printed nothing on the subject to which you refer, except 
fugitive matter in the press. This I have not kept and I do not 
know where to put my hand on it. 

For 20 years, I have advocated strenuously in the four new 
states with which I have been connected, the very doctrine 
which you set forth. You are preeminently right in your 
position. It is wise from an economic standpoint, from an 
educational standpoint, and from an ecclesiastical standpoint; 
and it is the only wise course, in my judgment, which the 
churches can possibly follow. A tithe of the money which they 
expend annually in the maintenance of inferior schools would 
build superb church homes, aid indigent students, and throw an 

1 Quoted from letter of July 1, 1893. 



1893] THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE CHTTBOHES 367 

influence about state institutions that would be valuable in the 
extreme. Had such a course been pursued in Nebraska, we 
should have three thousand students in the university to-day ; to 
say nothing of the additional equipment which would be possible 
because of the interest of all classes in the state in their own 
institution. 

The day is coming and coming rapidly, in which the people 
will recognize the fact that state education (by which I mean 
education as a function of the state, maintained and directed and 
supervised by the state), is the greatest, the most powerful factor 
in forming a true and lasting democracy. 

If the use of my name in any way whatever will be of assist 
ance to you, quote me as approving your most ultra positions. 



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University of the State of New York 

Object. The object of the University as denned by law is to encourage and 
promote education in advance of the common elementary branches. Its field 
includes not only the work of academies, colleges, universities, professional 
and technical schools, but also educational work connected with libraries, 
museums, university extension courses and similar agencies. 

The University is a supervisory and administrative, not a teaching institu- 
tion. It is a state department and at the same time a federation of over 500 
institutions of higher and secondary education. 

Government. The University is governed and all its corporate powers 
exercised by 19 elective regents and by the governor, lieutenant-governor, sec- 
retary of state and superintendent of public instruction, who are regents 
ex officio. Regents are elected in the same manner as United States senators 
and serve without salary. 

Elective officers are a chancellor and a vice-chancellor who serve without 
salary, and a secretary. 

ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS 

1 Regents office (executive) — including incorporation, supervision, inspec- 
tion, reports, legislation, finances and all other work not assigned to another 
department. 

2 Examination — including preacademic, law student, medical student, 
academic, higher, law, medical, library, extension and any other examina- 
tions conducted by the regents, and also credentials or degrees conferred on 
examination . 

3 Extension — including summer, vacation, evening, and correspondence 
schools and other forms of extension teaching, lecture courses, study clubs, 
reading circles and other agencies for the promotion and wider extension of 
opportunities and facilities for education to those unable to attend the usual 
teaching institutions . 

4 State Library — including state law, medical, and education libraries, 
public libraries and duplicate departments, library school, traveling, exten- 
sion, home and capitol libraries, reading courses, annotated lists and other 
bibliographic publications, lending books to students and all other library 
interests intrusted to the regents . 

5 State Museum — including all scientific specimens and collections, works 
of art, objects of historic interest and similar property appropriate to a general 
museum, if owned by the state and not placed in other custody by a specific 
law, also the research department carried on by the state geologist and pale- 
ontologist, botanist and entomologist, with all other scientific interests of the 
University. 

UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION 

The University convocation of the regents and the officers of institutions in 
the University, for consideration of subjects of mutual interest, has been held 
annually since 1863 in the senate chamber in Albany on the first Wednesday, 
Thursday and Friday after July 4. 

Though primarily a New York meeting, nearly all questions discussed are 
of equal interest outside the state, and its reputation as the most important 
higher educational meeting of the country has in the past few years drawn to 
it many eminent educators not residents of New York. At recent meetings 
more than 30 prominent universities and colleges from half as many different 
states have been represented by more than 100 of their officers and graduates, 
who are most cordially welcomed and share fully in all discussions. It elects 
each year a council of five to represent it in intervals between meetings. Its 
proceedings issued annually are of great value in all educational libraries. 
One of the faculty of Johns Hopkins university and a frequent attendant of 
convocation, said in a recent article "It is growing in efficiency and in 
importance. The topics discussed are not merely the educational problems of 
New York state, but of the nation and of the world. The personnel of those 
who take part in the convocation, likewise, makes it rather a national than a 
state institution. It is in fact the most important annual educational conven- 
tion held in the United States, and merits well the name of the ' congress of 
higher education,' conferred by Chancellor Curtis." 



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